BEFORE EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS

1. You or the Estate Agent tell us about the house you intend to buy or sell.
2. The Seller's Solicitors obtain the Seller's Title Deeds and prepare a Home Information Pack (HIP) which they send to the Buyer's Solicitors.
3. The Buyer's Solicitors make any further further enquiries required.
4. Solicitors do not make any enquiries as to the state of repair of the property. That is the job of the Surveyor.
5. If the Buyer is obtaining a mortgage he receives a mortgage offer from his bank or building society and a copy is sent to his / her Solicitor.
6. We will then meet you to go through the Contract and all the associated documentation with us. We need to be sure that you understand all of the documentation. If a visit is not convenient to you the documentation can be sent with an explanatory letter. If you and we are satisfied with all matters you sign the Contract. The Contract is not binding yet merely because you have signed it.

EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS

We exchange Contracts. This simply means that the Buyer's Solicitors send the Contract which the Buyer has signed to the Seller's Solicitors who then send the duplicate Contract signed by the Seller back to the Buyer's Solicitors. A deposit is usually paid at this stage. It is only now that the Contract becomes legally binding. It is now that the completion date is fixed. You tell us what completion date you want. We try to agree this with the other side's Solicitor. You must bear in mind the need to choose a date which is acceptable to both parties.

BETWEEN EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS AND COMPLETION

Now you are sure that the transaction will go through. You know the completion date. However, much of our work remains to be done.

The Buyer's Solicitors: -    

1. If not already reviewed and considered, check the Title Deeds to make sure that they are in order.
2. Raise ' Requisitions' -  i.e. questions which might arise from the Deeds.
3. Draw up a draft Transfer and send it to the Seller's Solicitors for approval.
4. Prepare the Stamp Duty Land Transaction Return confirming the Stamp Duty payable.
5. Type up the Transfer and Mortgage Deed and arrange for them to be signed by the Buyer along with the Stamp Duty Land Transaction Return.
6. Carry out final searches on the Registers maintained by the Land Registry, to ensure no unknown  matters affect the property.
7. Send a "Certificate of Title" to the Bank/Building Society to give them information and assurances which they require before they can release the mortgage advance.
8. Send the Conveyance or Transfer to the Seller's Solicitors so that the Seller can sign it.
9. Write to the Buyer and ask for any further money which may have to be paid.

  The Seller's Solicitors: -

1. Write to the existing lender to find out how much is needed to pay off any existing mortgage on the property and to any other company from whom the Seller has obtained other loans secured on the property which will have to be paid off.
2. Write to the Estate Agents to obtain their account.
3. Reply to the Requisitions raised by the Buyer's Solicitors.
4. Approve the draft Transfer submitted by the Buyer's Solicitors.
5. Send the Transfer to the Seller to sign and return.

COMPLETION DAY

This is the moving day. The Buyer's Solicitors will have received the mortgage advance from the Bank/Building Society. The Buyer will have paid any money which may be necessary to pay to make up the Purchase Price to their Solicitors. The Purchase Price is paid to the Seller's Solicitors less the deposit, which had been paid on exchange of Contracts. The Deeds are given to the Buyer's Solicitors - including the new Transfer. The keys can be collected either from the Seller or from the Estate Agents, and removals can take place.

AFTER COMPLETION

Work remains to be done. The Seller's Solicitors must redeem any existing mortgage or mortgages. Generally the Seller's Solicitors will pay the Estate Agent's Account.

The Buyer's Solicitors send the Stamp Duty Land Transaction Return to the Revenue with payment of any Stamp Duty. The Deeds have then to be registered at the Land Registry. After registration the Deeds are sent to the Bank/Building Society.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Please telephone, call at our offices for a competitive quote or email us.

In addition to our fees there will be other payments to be made to others on your behalf namely:

1. Value Added Tax on our fees.
2. Money charged by the Local Authority and Water Authority for answering Search Questions. The fee may vary from one Authority to another.
3. Money charged by the agent instructed to carry out any land contamination search.
4. Money charged by the Land Charges Registry for searches and copies of your Deeds.
5. Land Registry fees. These fees are charged by the Land Registry and they are based on the price of the house. We can supply you with the Land Registry published table of charges at any time.
6. Stamp Duty Land Tax.
7. Home Information Pack (HIP)- provided by the seller in most cases.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

This is a very difficult question. It can all be done in a week. It hardly ever is. The causes of delay are:-

1. The Seller has to wait for another house to be ready.
2. The Local Authority takes time to answer the search, and this is required by the HIP.
3. There are quite a number of questions to answer, so some time must be allowed.
4. The Buyer has to wait for a mortgage offer before Contracts can be exchanged.
5. The work that we have to do between exchange of Contracts and completion takes some time.

The average time from first seeing us to completion is between one month and two months. Sometimes it is quicker. On the other hand, it can be much longer if the pieces of the jigsaw do not come together quickly.

General

Of course, any property transaction involves complex legal factors, much more so when that property is a commercial one.

Planning considerations, environmental liabilities, investment issues and the payment of tax on a transaction are all concerns if you are buying, leasing or selling commercial property.

With a thorough grasp of the detail of current property legislation, we’ll manage the process of your transaction seamlessly, supporting you, partnering you or leading the way.

 

Retail / Leases

Mir & Co Solicitors have substantial experience in advising retail tenants.

Our work includes advising multiple retailers on all aspects of their property portfolios including:

• acquisitions and disposals of units in high streets
• lease renewals and landlord and tenant work
• rent reviews
• shopping centres
• out-of-town retail parks and factory outlets
• sale/leaseback transactions
• negotiating leases and underleases
• restructuring leases
• granting concessions and franchises
• portfolio management issues

Between the team members we have acted for numerous well-known high street names north and south of the border in addition to having considerable experience acting for some of the UK's largest shopping centre landlords.

Somewhere at somepoint, you may already have had a Mir & Co. specialist working on your lease as we work very closely to assist other practices in their lease reviews.

Landlord and Tenant services

Mir & Co. Solicitors provide a full service to both landlords and tenants of all sizes, from acquisition to disposal through to day to day asset management.

Our services can be tailored to meet the needs of a single property owner or occupier to those of large portfolios such as retail, industrial or office premises. Our services include:-

• Granting and taking leases
• Acquiring and disposing of investment properties
• Sale and leaseback
• Licences to assign, underlet, alter and for change of use
• Surrenders of leases

We can also advise on Property Litigation and in relation to matters such as forfeiture, dilapidations, lease renewal negotiations and contested rent reviews.

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General

If you've suffered an accident or an injury that wasn't your fault, you could be entitled to make a compensation claim for the injury itself and any our of pocket expences you have or are likely to incur. Mir & Co. have substantial experience in this area and we can help you evaluate your claim. We aim to make the whole process as stress free, speedy and simple for our clients.

What we'll do for you as specialist accident solicitors

More than anything, we aim to keep things clear, simple and as straightforward as possible for our clients, so there’s no need for you to worry at any point about the legal complexities or technicalities of your injury at work. You’ll be kept informed throughout the claims process which, put simply, looks like this:

• Your free initial consultation gives us a clear understanding of your claim for injury caused by poor training at work.
• If you have a case we assign an appropriate fee-earner with the expertise to handle your claim.
• We will investigate and build evidence to back up your case.
• We keep in touch with you throughout, so you’re always informed.
• Finally, with your approval, we arrive at the best compensation settlement possible.
• The Principle Solicitor, Mr. M. Idris Mir, is on the Law Society's Personal Injury Panel and has been a member of the Association of PErsonal Injury Lawyers (APIL) for over 10 years. He has experience in fatal accident claims; Road traffic accident claims; Accidents of work to name but a few. Telegraph & Argus Article here.

Contact a solicitor as soon as you can

It’s important to speak to us as soon as possible about your work related accident – time limitation periods apply and investigating your claim is often easier if you begin proceedings quickly. Your initial consultation with us is free, and we’ll tell you then whether or not your case is worth pursuing. If it is, we’ll carry out our investigation of the case free of charge too.

 

Types of Injuries

We also have claims information and case studies on specific types of work injury:

• Back injury
• Neck injury
• Head injury and brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Psychological injury
• Fractures
• Amputations
• Soft tissue injury
• Burns, scars and lacerations

Information to be updated 21/03/2008 Thank you for your patience.

Work accident claim types

Click on the relevant links below to find out more about your specific claim needs, including our recent case studies in these areas:

• Manual handling work accidents
• Accidents from defective work equipment
• Falls from height
• Workplace slips and trips
• Lack of or inadequate protective work equipment
• Accidents from lack of or inadequate work training
• Accidents from falling objects in the workplace

Claim compensation for manual handling injury at work

According to HSE statistics manual handling has been recorded as being the cause of 40% of accidents at work.

Manual Handling is the cause of many accidents and injuries, not only back injuries as people may initially think. Manual handling also causes a variety of upper and lower limb and muscular injuries. It also causes exacerbation of pre existing conditions.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 apply to all employers and cover all range of accidents and injuries at work and specify what an employer should do to prevent injury being caused by manual handling. They require employers to consider the whole task rather than just concentrating on the weight. This means that the burden on employers is very wide ranging. They still have to consider the weights involved in a manual handling task but for example they also have to consider the surrounding area and space available where the procedure is to be carried out and repetitive nature of the task where applicable. The regulations concentrate on risk reduction and risk minimisation.

What is classed as manual handling when making an accident claim?

It concerns ‘any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or by bodily force’ which as can be seen is extremely wide ranging.

In minimising the risk to an employee the employer has to firstly take all reasonable steps to avoid the manual handling task. If it is unavoidable then an employer has to assess the procedure to be used and in doing so take any appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level possible. Whilst assessing the procedure the employer also has to take into account the individual employee's suitability for the procedure and any affect this may have on decisions made.

Each worker should be notified of any risks identified in the risk assessment.

As experts in dealing with claims for compensation in this area we regularly find that employers fail to provide suitable equipment, fail to organise the work appropriately, fail to provide adequate manpower or fail to provide proper training.

Claiming compensation for inuries arising from defective work equipment

Accidents and injuries at work are often caused by defective or faulty work equipment. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 apply to all work equipment.

“Work equipment” is defined as meaning ‘any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work (whether exclusively or not)’. “Use” in relation to work equipment means ‘any activity involving work equipment and includes starting, stopping, programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning'.

In addition, more specialist regulations are sometimes applicable such as:

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

Work equipment has to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided and employers have to take steps to minimise the risk of any effect machinery may have upon an employee's health and safety. An assessment has to be carried out to identify any risks. Whilst carrying out assessments, employers need to have regard for working conditions, risks caused by premises and the undertaking and specific use of the equipment concerned. Employees are also entitled to be notified of any risks to their health and safety highlighted by the said risk assessments. 

Every employer has to ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and is in good repair. Inspections of machinery are often required for example if equipment is exposed to conditions likely to cause deterioration.

Employees also have to be adequately trained on methods of use, risks and precautions. Measures have to be taken to protect employees against dangerous or potentially faulty machine parts.

Having dealt with many claims of this nature we are experienced in combating the issues that can arise in faulty work equipment claims.

Claim compensation for a fall at work / fall from height

Falls from height are not uncommon in the UK. A recent construction report highlighted there are over 225,000 construction professionals and the largest cause of fatal and major injuries in this profession is falls at work from height.

This highlights the need for employers to carefully monitor the health and safety procedures in place.

Falls include falls through fragile material, from steelwork, ladders, edges, openings and from scaffolding. There is legislation in place to protect employees with The Work at Height Regulations 2005 along with helpful guides produced by The Health and Safety Executive such as ‘Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders’.

Every employer should ensure work is not carried out at height if a safer alternative method can be used. If work has to be carried out at height and a safer method is not available then a suitable and sufficient measure to prevent, so far as is reasonable, any person from falling a distance likely to cause injury has to be taken.

When you may be able to make a workplace fall claim

Compensation claims may be made against employers or third parties and range from claims arising from lack of training to self or others, incorrect work equipment having been provided or used, work equipment not having been maintained correctly, and falls through fragile surfaces e.g. skylights.

As specialist injury solicitors in this area we are able to look into the duties imposed on employers and whether they have been fulfilled.

Claiming compensation for a slip or trip accident at work

Slips and trips account for many workplace accidents and injuries. Workers may have tripped over obstructions left in inappropriate places, loose cabling, slipped on spillages which have not been cleaned or fallen on slippery or otherwise unsuitable flooring.

There is legislation which places obligations on employers and others responsible for premises to protect workers from slips and trips. The main regulations relevant to this area are The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, and The Work at Height Regulations 2005 although other regulations are sometimes relevant depending on the circumstances of the accident.

When you can claim for a slip or trip at work

These accidents can happen either in a regular workplace or whilst out and about working on different sites. Situations where compensation claims in respect of a slip or trip in the workplace are often successful may involve:-

• Failure to repair or warn of a tripping hazard (e.g. a raised carpet tile/hole in floor)
• Failure to light an area adequately
• Failure to use a suitable flooring material in the workplace (e.g. using a slippery lino in a workplace where water may drip onto the floor)
• Falls down stairs where handrails or other safety measures should have been in place

These are just examples of falls in the workplace and they can occur in many different ways.

Potential claimants often do not investigate a compensation claim because they are concerned that the trip or slip was their fault, for example, they did not spot the hazard because they were not “looking where they were going” or because they were carrying something which obscured their view. The legal system recognizes that in the real world people are often in such situations and makes allowance for that. These claims are often successful, despite the claimant initially thinking they could not claim.

We have considerable experience of handling claims of this nature arising in many different types of scenario.

Claim compensation for injury caused by inadequate/lack of protective equipment at work

After risk assessment of a work place and implementation of measures to reduce risks at their source, any remaining risks should be addressed through provision, where possible, of “personal protective equipment”.

Personal protective equipment is equipment which is individual to the worker. There are many different types of personal protective equipment in daily use throughout the UK. Although the list is endless it would include items such as hard hats, safety boots, high visibility jackets, welding masks, goggles, ear protectors, breathing apparatus, and protective gloves.

Requirements in respect of personal protective equipment are set out in The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. Personal protective equipment should usually be provided to workers where it can reduce a risk of injury to them. The risk might relate to almost anything but a few examples would be;

• risk of being injured by hot substances (e.g. molten metal)
• risk of being hit by falling objects
• risk of being cut by sharp components
• risk of inhaling harmful substances

Workers must be given suitable protective equipment that fits properly and can be worn whilst doing the job in hand. It should be maintained and replaced as necessary. Employers are required to enforce wearing of the protective equipment.

Given the many different types of protective equipment these accidents can occur in all sorts of different workplaces. We are very experienced in handling cases arising in a variety of circumstances.

Claim compensation for workplace injury caused by lack of training or poor training

Employers must ensure that workers are taught how to do their job properly and safely to avoid accidents or injury. This is a wide ranging duty and covers systems and methods of work, use of machinery and other work equipment, and use of personal protective equipment for example;

• Knowing where the emergency stop button is
• Knowing how to operate machinery
• Knowing how to assess how heavy a load is and how it should be lifted

Given its wide-ranging importance this area is covered by a raft of regulations including;

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, and The Provision And Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 as well as many others.

Employers are not automatically entitled to rely upon training and experience from previous jobs and must make a proper assessment of a worker’s abilities and knowledge for themselves. They must also ensure that training is regularly refreshed and any new matters (e.g. new work equipment or systems of work) are covered in training. Employers also have a greater duty to look out for more vulnerable, younger, pregnant or temporary workers. 

Lack of training is an issue which often comes up in work injury and accident cases and we are experienced in seeking copies of the correct documentation and obtaining the relevant evidence in respect of training issues generally to give a case the best possible chance of success.

Claim compensation for workplace injury caused by falling objects

Injuries from falling objects account for many accidents at work.

These accidents can happen when materials or other items have not been stored properly and subsequently fall onto workers. Certain workplaces might have a bigger risk of accidents like this (for example construction sites or warehouses) but they can happen anywhere. Employers have a duty to take steps to protect workers against injury from falling objects. Obligations in respect of this area are principally set out in The Work at Height Regulations 2005.

This type of accident can also happen when items are ejected from or shear from machinery. Other occasions where falling objects may cause injury might be in badly maintained premises where the building itself is unsafe. Whether or not the worker is in premises owned by his employer there may still be a claim for compensation either against the employer or the occupier of the building.

We have a wide experience of dealing with this type of accident be it as a result of defective premises or other falling items.

 

 

Public accident compensation claims

Every year in the UK thousands of people are in a position to make an accident claim after being injured in a public place. Trips and falls account for around half of all these injuries, mainly on public footpaths and pavements or on wet floors in public spaces. The knock-on effect is often serious injury and ongoing discomfort or even disability, all of which can be compensated for when an accident claim is pursued and liability can be proved.

We’re experts in claims for accidents in public places

Our dedicated team only handles compensation claims for accidents in public places, so our expertise is deep and grounded in experience. Our ability to successfully claim for compensation is proven and recognised – view our recent work for more information.

About claims for accidents in public places

The potential for accidents is all around us, but we can’t put our lives on hold. However small, there is a chance we could be hurt in public, or that our children may be injured: in a fall, in a playground, by falling masonry…the risk is there, but so is the legal duty of care that should protect us from harm. Where we can prove you were hurt because that duty was breached, we’ll pursue an accident claim for compensation.

 

Children's accident legal advice

If your child has an accident resulting in injury and you want to make a claim, it’s important to pursue that claim with a specialist children’s solicitor. Whether your child has had a minor accident or has suffered something as serious as a head injury, the impact will be felt throughout the family. The medical and legal implications of such an event make this a detailed and challenging area, and it’s worth bearing in mind that the process of making a child injury claim differs from the process for adults.

Make sure your child accident claim is dealt with by the experts

Our specialist children's lawyers deal with accidents of all kinds affecting children of all ages up to 18 years old. Whilst achieving compensation is our ultimate aim, we will work sensitively with you to ensure minimum distress is caused in doing so. We draw on expertise in a number of different fields, including special educational needs, therapeutic services, welfare benefits and mobility assistance to deliver more than just a personal injury claim. In this way, we can help your child recover quickly and as thoroughly as possible following the accident.

What’s involved with a child accident claim?

The increased burden of responsibility on us when children are around means that there is often a case for compensation in children’s accidents where an adult would not be able to make a successful claim. In dealing with children’s accidents in the home, in public places, on the road or in the care of a trusted professional, we recognise the child’s vulnerability and the particular duties owed by adults to them. Because things change quickly in childhood and the law in this area is complex and detailed, each case is judged on its own merit by a children’s solicitor who will be able to advise on the understanding a child had (or should have had) at the time of an accident. You may also have a case where the driver of a car involved in an accident with your child remains untraced through a claim against the Motor Insurers Bureau.

Or, if your child is hurt in a violent crime, even if nobody is charged, you may be able to make a child injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

We will steer you through these and other issues in the immediate and long term future.

Claim compensation for criminal injury

Violent crime is unfortunately a fact of life. We do whatever we can to avoid it, but although rare, there are thousands of victims each year. Violent muggings, attacks on the street, sexual and violent assault…in each case good legal representation can mean a compensation claim that eases the physical and mental recovery process, whether your attacker is found and charged or not.

Information about criminal injury compensation claims

In any violent crime, your priority is of course, reporting the matter to the police and seeking medical attention for yourself. But you should also seek legal advice as soon as possible – we may need accounts from witnesses whose memories of the event will be clearer if recorded quickly.

Thanks to the CICA, even if an offender is not identified, caught or convicted, a successful claim can still be made, so before you make assumptions about the likely success or failure of your case, let us look into things. There may be other legal courses of action to take too, such as a civil action or a compensation order.

Time limits for making claims also apply, although those limits are discretionary and in some cases are regularly waived. CICA compensation can be claimed, for example, in child abuse and elder abuse cases where no conviction has been made, even years after the event. These claims are not exempt from time limits, but because of their sensitive nature and the fact that they often go unreported for many years, they can be waived.

You may be able to claim damages for loss of earnings, loss of future earnings (where your injuries have long term implications) and future expenses (for example, if you are left disabled and your home needs moderating).

You can also file, through the CICA, for Fatal Criminal Compensation if someone you care about has died as the result of a crime.

Expert criminal injury solicitors

Our dedicated criminal injuries unit helps clients pursuing claims through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This body was created to administer state compensation to violent crime victims. By working with you and the CICA, our team can achieve a just compensation package for the losses you have suffered. If during the course of our investigation we find you have grounds for other legal action, we will, of course, keep you informed.

We can also advise you on benefits and payments available to you if you are left permanently or temporarily disabled or unable to work.

 

Claim compensation for injury as a result of a motorcycle accident

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident you may be eligible to make a claim for your injuries and loss of earnings.

Mir & Co. have vast experience in motorcycle accident cases, making successful claims against local authorities, other drivers and road users.

Actual Case Sample: Motorcycle accident claim for head injury

On 14 December 2003, the Claimant suffered a severe head injury following a motorcycle accident whilst riding as a pillion passenger, driven by the Defendant who was killed in the accident.

It was found out that the Defendant failed to negotiate the junction and mounted a traffic island causing the motorcycle to fall to one side. The motorcycle continued with both riders and then slid along one side of the dual carriageway and continued to slide under the safety barrier. The Defendant’s helmet was knocked off and he suffered fatal injuries in the impact and died at the scene. The Claimant was thrown from the motorcycle across the opposite carriageway and came to rest on the verge.

A compensation claim was issued against the Defendant’s estate in the High Court in London. Liability was initially disputed on the grounds that the claimant knew or ought to have known that the defendant was unfit to drive and on the grounds that he was not wearing a properly fastened helmet.

The Claimant lacked capacity within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Negotations with the Defendant led to an offer of £1,350,000 that was made less than a week before the trial. As the Claimant lacked capacity, this settlement was approved at an approval hearing on 12 November 2007.

Negligence compensation claims

If you’ve failed to secure compensation in a recent claim, you might feel that it was due to negligence on the part of your legal representatives. Equally, if you’ve invested in other professional services such as architects, surveyors, investment managers or financial advisers, you may have cause to feel that your case has been mishandled. At Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, we might be able to help you claim for professional negligence compensation against the firm involved, provided evidence of poor case management or any misconduct can be gathered.

We’re experts in professional negligence claims

We understand the range of circumstances in which these claims can arise. Did your lawyers fail to act within a time frame relevant to your claim? Did a simple procedural mistake lead to the collapse of your case, or did you have to settle for less compensation than you had been led to expect? Maybe the inaccurate advice of a financial adviser has cost you dearly? Our specialist professional negligence solicitors' approach starts with drawing in experts from our wider personal injury and individual services department. Using their profession and case specific skills, we can clarify what your previous firm’s duties should have entailed and if and how it failed to properly carry them out.

About professional negligence claims

Many people give up once they’ve failed to secure compensation, or if they find themselves unsupported by their appointed solicitors in complex legal procedures. They may be concerned at the prospect of taking action against a firm that they probably chose for their expertise. As a top 10 UK firm our specialist professional negligence solicitors have the weight and presence to represent you in professional negligence claims, without intimidation.

Do not delay in seeking our advice though – if you have failed in a compensation claim it may be that we can salvage your original case, sparing you the headache of pursuing a fresh negligence claim.

Equally, the trust we put into other professional services, because of their specialist expertise can also mean the last thing we expect is poor advice, guidance or help. Our team also handles negligence claims against other professionals such as accountants, architects, financial advisors and surveyors. We boast experience in large-scale, high-level group actions and, uniquely, we offer representation to both claimants and uninsured defendants alike.

 

Claiming compensation for a road traffic accident

Unfortunately, being a safe and competent driver doesn’t necessarily protect you from being injured in a road traffic accident. Around 70% of drivers admit to occasional speeding, and if that’s a true reflection of life on the open road, then drivers, pedestrians, cyclists – all of us – are potential victims of road traffic accidents.

We’re experts in all forms of road accident claims

Our specialist road accident solicitors deal with car crash claims, whiplash claims, bike accident claims, motorcycle accident claims and general road traffic accident claims on behalf of drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians and we have successfully claimed on thousands of cases. We’ll not just handle your claim, but we’ll also help you with practicalities that follow the accident, such as healthcare provision and benefits payments.

Speak to our expert road traffic accident solicitors first

No matter how you’ve been involved, we can help. Even if you have a road accident or crash with an uninsured driver we can look into making a claim. And if you were injured in a road accident with someone who failed to stop and remains unidentified, experts will help you. The fact is that even with small whiplash injuries, the kind we most commonly deal with, people suffer short and long term pain and discomfort affecting their home and work lives, which in most cases can be compensated for. Before you decide whether or not your claim may be successful, speak to us and we’ll assess your case with no charge.

Claim car crash compensation

A car crash is one of the most common forms of accident claims in the UK. If you have suffered an injury as a result of a car crash, either in the car or as a passenger or passer-by, there is a possibility that you may qualify for some form of compensation.

But that doesn't necessarily mean that a car crash claim is straightforward. There are often complicated circumstances surrounding the accident. A car crash invariably happens at speed under confusing conditions. If you are to win a successful car crash claim, you need our specialist expert solicitors working for you from the start.

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Car crash legal advice from the experts

Unlike many of the claims agencies you may come across, Mir & Co. is an established solicitors' practise with in-house investigators, solicitors and medical experts at your disposal. When you talk to us about the car crash in which you, your loved one or dependent was involved in, you will be talking to specialists who understand the issues involved and the likely levels of compensation that you might expect.

If you think you may have a car crash claim, however minor or severe, it pays to take expert advice as soon as you can. We'll be pleased to investigate the car crash in which you were involved free of charge and advise you of your personal situation as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Whiplash compensation claim solicitors

Many people are involved in road traffic accidents at some point in their lifetime, thankfully most injuries are minor. At Irwin Mitchell, our solicitors specialise in dealing with whiplash claims as a result of road traffic accidents.

Road traffic accidents are the most common cause of personal injury and we recognise it is important whiplash claims are dealt with efficiently.

Irwin Mitchell's Road Traffic Accident team comprises specialist panels of experts in both the medical and legal fields and can advise you on your injuries and any financial losses incurred. Your interests are key, so our experts will do all they can to maximise the potential value of your compensation claim.

The team is dedicated to assessing motor accident claims for accidents involving the following:

• Car drivers
• Passengers
• Motor cyclists
• Pedal cyclists
• Pedestrians (including children)

Have you had a bicycle accident?

Recent publicity suggests that youngsters are most likely to suffer an injury as a result of a bicycle accident, causing great suffering for many families.

Whilst not alleviating the pain and anguish that a cycling accident injury to a young person causes - a compensation claim can at least help financially.

Claim compensation for work illness/industrial disease

Exposure to conditions in industrial environments can cause serious illness, often with grave, long-term consequences. However, a workplace illness or industrial disease claim can often be made - Employers in any industry are charged with a duty of care to their employees and a legal framework to ensure minimum risk of endangering them.

The compliance duties for legislations such as the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), exist to enforce this. Whilst thousands of people contract illnesses at work each year, a number of high profile successes have seen compensation awarded in industrial disease cases dating back several decades in, for example, coal mining, chemical production and manufacturing. Where we can evidence employer negligence, we’ll pursue a claim for your maximum compensation.

See below for more information on specific work-related conditions:

• Vibration White Finger/Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
• Industrial deafness/hearing loss
• Tinnitus from work conditions
• Dermatitis from work conditions

Claim compensation for vibration white finger

If you work with vibrating tools/equipment for any length of time and now find your fingers are white, cold and tingling you may be suffering from a condition called Vibration White Finger. Mir & Co. Specialist Solicitors have represented over 200,000 people in the UK with work placed injuries, including Vibration White Finger.

The vibration white finger legal claims process

Firstly it must be established that an employer has exposed any employee to negligent levels of vibration.
The core regulations governing vibration are the control of the Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. The new regulations state exposure accident levels and exposure limit values. Your daily exposure to vibration is measured by a formula known as A(8) value. This is the average (A) exposure over an 8 hour (8) day. The current exposure action level is 2.5 m/s2 A8. Or the exposure limit values this is 5 m/s2 A(8). However these are not definitive levels and it has been proven through previous cases that any exposure above 1 m/s2 A(8) can cause vibration white finger.

Once a person has started to develop the symptoms of Vibration White Finger, if he continues to use vibratory tools the problems will only deteriorate until the use of vibration has stopped. There is then a two year period following the use of vibratory tools in which a person's condition may further slightly deteriorate but after this two year period any further deterioration in symptoms may be due to a different/unknown condition.

The second complex issue is whether a person has Vibration White Finger and this is due to their exposure to vibration at work. This is a matter for expert evidence and a medical report will be prepared by an expert in the area such as a vascular surgeon to confirm the same.

Specialist vibration white finger solicitors

If you have not been exposed to vibration at work beyond 1975 it is unlikely that you will be able to claim due to previous case law. If you suspect that you have Vibration White Finger you should talk to us about a Vibration White Finger claim.

We are one of the UK’s leading firms of Solicitors involved in Occupational Disease claims. Unlike agencies, we have our own in house expertise to help your Vibration White Finger claim. Our knowledgeable team will establish whether your injury can be linked to your exposure to vibration and crucially whether your employer was negligent in allowing it to occur and that they failed in their duty of care.

All initial consultation is free, if you suspect that you are affected by Vibration White Finger, please contact us.

Claim compensation for industrial deafness or hearing loss caused by noisy work conditions

If you have worked in a noisy environment for any length of time and find that you have to turn the volume on your television up or cannot follow a conversation where there is background noise you may suffer form industrial deafness/noise induced hearing loss. Irwin Mitchell Specialist Solicitors have represented over 200,000 people in the UK with work placed injuries, including Industrial Deafness/Noise Induced Hearing Loss.

When considering if you are now or were previously exposed to excessive levels of noise at work the simplest way is consider whether you have/had to raise your voice to carryout a normal conversation 2 metres away from your colleague. If so it is likely that you have been exposed to excessive levels of noise.

The legal implications of work related hearing loss

In pursuing a claim for Industrial Deafness/Noise Induced Hearing Loss there are many complex issues which need to be considered. Firstly it must be established that an employer has exposed an employee to negligent levels of noise.

Depending on when you worked in excessive levels of noise the core regulations governing noise exposure are The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and The Noise at Work Regulations 1989, and the Factories Acts.

On the 6 April 2006 the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 came into force and the lower exposure action level was reduced to 80dB(A) (previously 85dB(A) under the Noise at Work Regulations) and the upper exposure action level dropped to 85dB(A) (previously 90dB(A) under the Noise at Work Regulations).

At the lower exposure level your employer should provide hearing protection upon request and provide training and information on how to use this correctly. The second action level currently at 85db(A) but previously 90db(A) means that an employer must provide hearing protection, enforce its use when required and supply sufficient training and information upon its use.

Currently it is estimated that over 2.2 million workers are exposed to noise levels above 80dbA including over 1 million exposed to levels above 85dbA and 450,000 at levels above 90dbA. Many of these workers are employed in or associated with the construction, housing, textile or mining industries but there are many other industries which expose or have exposed their employees to excessive levels of noise.

Tinnitus compensation claims

The second complex issue is whether a person has Industrial Deafness/NIHL or Tinnitus and if this is due to their exposure to noise at work. This is a matter for expert evidence and a medical report will be prepared by an expert in the area such as a Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon to confirm the same.

Specialist solicitors for industrial deafness claims

If you have not been exposed to noise at work beyond 1963 it is unlikely that you will be able to claim due to previous case law as it is generally regarded by the Courts that most UK employers were not aware of the dangers of excessive noise exposure until 1963. If you suspect that you have Industrial Deafness/Noise Induced Hearing Loss or Tinnitus you should talk to us about a claim.

We are one of the UK’s leading firms of Solicitors involved in Occupational Disease claims. Unlike agencies, we have our own in house expertise to help your Industrial Deafness/Noise Induced Hearing Loss or Tinnitus claim. Our knowledgeable team will establish whether your injury can be linked to your exposure to noise and crucially whether your employer was negligent in allowing it to occur and that they failed in their duty of care.

All initial consultation is free, if you suspect that you are affected by Industrial Deafness/Noise Induced Hearing Loss or Tinnitus, please contact us.

Claim compensation if you have developed tinnitus from noisy work conditions

If you work or have worked in a noisy environment for any length of time and now find that you suffer from a ringing, whistling, buzzing or humming in your ear(s) you may be suffering from tinnitus caused by work conditions. Irwin Mitchell Specialist Solicitors have represented over 200,000 people in the UK with work placed injuries, including tinnitus.

When considering if you are now or were previously exposed to excessive levels of noise at work the simplest way is consider whether you have/had to raise your voice to carryout a normal conversation 2 metres away from your colleague.  If so it is likely that you have been exposed to excessive levels of noise.

In pursuing a claim for tinnitus there are many complex issues which need to be considered.  Firstly it must be established that an employer has exposed an employee to negligent levels of noise.

Depending on when you worked in excessive levels of noise the core regulations governing noise exposure are The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and The Noise at Work Regulations 1989, and the Factories Act.

Many thousands of workers have been employed in excessive levels of noise in various industries such as construction, engineering, textile or mining industries but there are many other industries which expose or have exposed their employees to excessive levels of noise.

In respect of any claim it is necessary to show that a person has Industrial Deafness/Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) or Tinnitus and this is due to their exposure to noise at work.  This is a matter for expert evidence and a medical report will be prepared by an expert in the area such as a Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon to confirm the same.

Free tinnitus legal advice from our specialist solicitors

If you have been diagnosed with Tinnitus, which you have been told or you suspect is due to your employment, over 3 years ago, it is unlikely that you will be able to claim due to previous case law.  If you suspect that you have Tinnitus caused by work you should talk to us about a claim for Tinnitus.

We are one of the UK’s leading firms of Solicitors involved in Occupational Disease claims.  Unlike agencies, we have our own in house expertise to help your Tinnitus claim.  Our knowledgeable team will establish whether your injury can be linked to your exposure to a substance at work and crucially whether your employer was negligent in allowing it to occur and that they failed in their duty of care.

For a free consultation, if you suspect that you are affected by Tinnitus, please contact us.

Claim compensation for Dermatitis caused by work conditions

Dermatitis can occur regularly at work when being exposed to substances such as oils, diesel, petrol or greasers etc.  This list is not exhaustive and there are numerous substances/materials that can cause dermatitis.  Workers have suffered from dermatitis for decades yet employers still do not fulfil their requirements to protect their employees from exposure to any harmful substances.

There are regulations that govern the duty of Employers and what steps need to be taken to protect employees from any potentially harmful substance.  Employers should look to provide Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves, overalls, boots and any other apparatus such as masks to stop any exposure to these harmful substances occurring.  Any item given by the employer, such as gloves, must be adequate for the job and should be maintained by the employer and if broken replaced.

Specialist work illness solicitors - free Dermatitis compensation claim advice

If you have not been diagnosed with Dermatitis, which you have been told or suspect is due to your employment, within the last 3 years it is unlikely that you will be able to claim due to previous case law.  If you suspect that you have Dermatitis caused by work you should talk to us about a claim for Dermatitis.

We are one of the UK’s leading firms of Solicitors involved in Occupational Disease claims.  Unlike agencies, we have our own in house expertise to help your Dermatitis claim.  Our knowledgeable team will establish whether your injury can be linked to your exposure to a substance at work and crucially whether your employer was negligent in allowing it to occur and that they failed in their duty of care.

All initial consultation is free, if you suspect that you are affected by Dermatitis, please contact us.

 

Recovering outstanding Debt

Supporting business with comprehensive tracing, debt recovery and data services Mir & Co. work closely with other agencies in the U.K. Organisations throughout the UK outsource a variety of services to us - primarily because through our vast array of contacts, we are able to improve efficiencies, productivity and performance, yet introduce major cost saving benefits in the process.

Our services are provided with all the professionalism, security and integrity that clients expect from a law firm.

We can help businesses and consumers recover debts that are due to them. Invariably, the person or persons owing the debt may have moved house and require tracing. We are able to undertake the tracing and recoveries in house.

We can offer fixed fee services - please contact us for further details.

Debt Purchase - purchasing portfolio that many decline

We are actively looking to purchase consumer or commercial debt portfolios across Europe (particularly UK, France and Germany). We also undertake debt recovery worldwide, particularly throughout the EU and employ a variety of multi lingual staff.

Unlike many other Debt Purchase companies, we especially want to purchase written off 'goneaway', trace or skip accounts. Our expertise in this sector enables us to purchase accounts that other organisations decline. One of the largest costs to any lender are losses associated with accounts that have 'disappeared'. Our expertise in tracing goneaway is second to none and we are often able to trace the debtor and restore relations with the customer resulting in the resumption of repayments.

Many organisations across Europe have written off considerable sums because of goneaway accounts. Our Debt Purchase service enables you to achieve a one off or staged tiered payment for these accounts. We are able to fund substantial purchases and have no limitations on deal size.

All of our tracing and debt recovery / collection activities are undertaken in full compliance with the relevant legislation and we are full members of the Credit Services Association. We are currently looking to acquire UK or European based lending portfolio that primarily consist of regulated consumer credit agreement 'goneaway' or trace & collect debt. Should you be looking to dispose of this type of debt, please telephone

If you have small portfolio or even a single bad debt and you would like us to recover a bad debt on your behalf, contact us today.

Prospective Clients with larger volumes of bad debts requiring recovery should and we will forward you more details and our bulk pricing tariff.

All of our people search and tracing activities are undertaken in full compliance with the relevant legislation and we are full members of the Credit Services Association. Additionally, we hold a comprehensive Data Protection Registration and are Licensed under the Consumer Credit Act by the Office of Fair Trading.

Trace and Collect

A significant portion of our client's bad debt provisions are usually made up from debtors where contact has been lost. Many of our competitors are loathe to take on this type of work because of the level of expertise and investment required to trace individuals.

Our firm has grown a very respectable Trace & Collect department. Our average investment in each case placed with us approaches £50 before we have even made any collection.

Experience has shown us that unless a we commits resources and are prepared for initial expense, recovery rates suffer. As a result of this, many firms concentrate on prime, where the initial investment prior to recoveries is small.

Utility Debt Collection

Our experience in the Utility sector has developed around tracing and collecting debts but also the identification and resolution of periods of supply and responsibility for consumption.

We currently work with the largest Utility companies in the UK. Our debt department are skilled in all types of Gas, Electricity and Water payment tariffs, metering options & measured/unmeasured consumption issues.

We invest much time in staff training for this sector and the regulatory issues and restrictions in force. We are currently showing one of the highest percentage turn arounds for a number of our Utility clients - let us show you how.

Please contact us for a free assessment.

Trace only services

If you have only an occasional requirement to trace goneaway debtors then you can instruct us securely online by telephone or by arranging an appointment.

Remember, there are no charges if we are unsuccessful. If you can instruct in large volumes or on a regular basis, you may benefit from our reduced pricing structure and you should open account facilities.

A

Advance: The payment of mortgage monies by a lender

APR: Annual Percentage Rate. A yardstick to help compare interest rates among lenders. It takes into account extra items such as booking fees

Assignment: The transfer of a lease

B

Bankers draft: The payment of funds guaranteed by a bank

Bridging loan: A short term loan

C

CHAPS payment: Electronic funds transfer by one bank to another

Charge (Legal): A debt (for moneys owed) secured on a property. Funds borrowed from a lender (ie a mortgage) is usually secured against the property bought

Commons Registration Search: Where property abuts a village green or common land, this search shows any third party rights on the land.

Completion date: The day on which the purchase or sale of a property is finalised

Contract: The agreement between the buyer and seller, which is binding after exchange

Conveyancing: The process of buying and selling property

Covenants: Conditions contained in the Title Deeds that affect the use of the property

Creditor: Someone who is owed money

D

Deed of covenant: A formal Deed - or document - promising that someone will comply with the Covenants contained in the Title Deeds

Deposit: The part of the purchase or sale price paid on exchange of contracts

E

Easement: A right over another property

Encumbrance: An obligation affecting property

Exchange of contracts: The stage at which the agreement - or contract - between the seller and the buyer becomes legally binding

F

Freehold: Outright ownership of a property and the land on which it stands

G

Ground rent: Payments made to the landlord - normally nominal payments in tha case of long leaseholds (ie 999 year leases)

H

HIPS: Home Information Pack.  A pack which most sellers are now obliged to provide to the buyer on the sale of residential property.  See http://www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/

I

Intestate: Dying without having made a will

J

Joint tenants: A method of owning property by two people, which results, on the death of the first, in the property passing to the survivor

K

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L

Landlord: A person who owns the Freehold property and rents it out

Land Registry: A government department which maintains and updates the register of ownership of property in England and Wales

Lease: A document made between Landlord and Tenant setting out the terms of occupation of a property

Leasehold: The occupier has the right to occupy the property for a fixed term (which could be 999 years!) but does not own the "Freehold"

Licence to assign: The Landlord's permission for the Lease to be transferred to a new tenant

Local search: Enquiries made of a local authority which gives details of planningdecisions, CPO's, TPO's, and other financial charges registered againat the property

M

Management company: A company formed to comply with the landlords' obligations under a lease

Mortgage: A loan secured against a property. In the event of non-payment, there is usually a right to sell the property

N

NHBC: National House Builders Council. The NHBC provide a ten year warranty against major structural defects for new properties

O

Official copy entries: Certified copies of the Deeds obtained from the Land Registry, confirming ownership of the property, charges registered against it etc.

P

Personal representative: The person appointed by a will to act for the deceased

Q

Quarter days: A lease will specify the dates when rent and other paymenst are to be made.
Historically, if rent is paid quarterly, these sums are payable on "the usual quarter days" ie 25 March, 24 June, 29 September, 25 December

R

Redemption: Paying off a mortgage

Registered land: Land which is registered at the Land Registry

S

Service charge: Money requested by a landlord for repairs and maintenance to a property

Stamp duty: A tax charged on the purchase of a property valued at £125,000.00

T

Tenant: A person who pays rent for the use of a property

Tenants in common: Where two or more people own a property as "tenants in common", and one of those people dies, the deceased's share of the property will pass according to what has been stated in the deceased's Will (or according to the rules of intestacy, in the event of no will having been made)

Term: A period of time, such as the length of a mortgage

U

Underlease: A lease which is granted from a longer lease

V

Vendor: The Seller

W

Will: Everyone should make a Will regardless of the value of their assets. If you die without making a Will then the law will deal with your Estate and how it is divided and this may not be in accordance with your wishes. Contrary to popular belief under the law everything does not automatically pass to a wife when her husband dies

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Y

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Partner to the Solicitor Firm

 

Conveyancing Solicitor

 

Personal Injury Solicitor

 

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